The Finance Minister says the decision to exit the bailout without a safety net was a finely balanced one.

TDs will vote tonight on the decision not to go with a precautionary credit line at this time. Michael Noonan has told the Dáil that this is the right decision for the country.

And he highlighted how low our bond yields now are as a reason for the decision.

While the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore says European monitoring of the Irish economy - even after our bailout exit - does not infringe on our sovereignty.

The European Union and European Central Bank (ECB) will conduct twice-yearly checks on our progress from when we leave the programme next month and determine if we will be able to pay off our debts.

Some observers say that means Ireland still will not have full control of our finances. But Mr. Gilmore says we will be no different from any other Eurozone country.